WORDS, PHRASES & DEFINITIONS

Date Down - The date a title examination is to be brought down to from the date of the last examination. Generally the date of recording of instruments and documents in the Recorder's Office.

d.b.n. - Abbreviation for de bonis non administratis, De Bonis Non Administratis. Of the goods not administered. When an administrator is appointed to succeed another, who has left the estate partially unsettled, he is said to be granted “administration de bonis non;” that is, of the goods not already administered. McNair v. Howle, 123 S.C. 252, 116 S.E. 279, 285.

d.d. - Abbreviation for "days after date."

D.S. - Abbreviation for "declaratory statement."

De - From; of; concerning.

Decedent - Deceased person.

Declaration of Homestead - A formal, written, recorded assertion by an owner that the dwelling in which he or she resides is exempt from forced sale.

Declaration of Trust - A written instrument by a person (settlor-trustor), acknowledging that he or she holds title to property (as trustee) for the benefit of another or others (beneficiary/ beneficiaries).

Decree - A judgment by court.

Decree of Distribution - A judgment of probate court as to persons entitled to the property of a decedent. [Now referred to as 'Order for Distribution']

Dedication - Donation of land by owner for public use.

Deed - Written document transferring title to land from one person to another.

Deed In Lieu of Foreclosure - The deed purchased by the mortgagee from the mortgagor in lieu of the foreclosure of the mortgagee's mortgage. The mortgagor grants the title to the property secured by the mortgage to the mortgagee (lender) in lieu of lender foreclosing the mortgage.

Deed of Sale - Evidence of a purchaser's acquisition of legal title at a judicial sale, subject to redemption rights, if any.

Deed of Trust - A three party security instrument conveying title to land as security for the performance of an obligation. Also called "trust deed."

De Facto - In fact.

Default - Omission or failure to fulfill a duty, observe a promise, discharge an obligation, or perform an agreement.

Default Judgment - A judgment against a defendant who made no appearance in court.

Defeasance Clause - The provision of a mortgage giving the mortgagor the right to redeem the property upon satisfaction of the obligation it secures.

Defeasible - Subject to being defeated, annulled, revoked.

Deficiency Judgment - A personal judgment against the debtor for the amount remaining due after foreclosure of a security device, as in the case of a mortgage or trust deed.

Defunct - Deceased, dead.

De jure - By right.

Demand - An escrow term describing the consideration exacted for a conveyance or for the relinquishment of an interest in or a right to property.

Demise - A transfer of an estate for years, for life, or at will.

Demurrer - The formal mode of disputing the sufficiency in law of an opponent's pleading.

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